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The BlackBerry® PlayBook™ OS 2.0 will be available for the BlackBerry® PlayBook™ tablet! Here’s an overview of how to download and update BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 when it is available, and how to manage the new home screen.

Downloading/Updating to BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0

If you purchase a new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, the first time you set up the tablet you’ll automatically get updated to BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 during the initial setup process. For an overview of how the setup process on a new BlackBerry tablet works, check out our post on How to Set Up a BlackBerry PlayBook. (Make sure you come back to this post so you can learn more about the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 home screen when you are finished setting up your tablet!)

For those that already own a BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, when BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 is released, you will receive a Software Update notification that appears on the status bar. When this appears, tap “Update” to start downloading the Software Update. You’ll need to restart the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet when the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 update is complete, so make sure you save any files you might be working on.

Managing the new Home Screen

After restarting your tablet as per the BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 Update, you are now presented with the new customizable home screen. You’ll notice the new icon dock that can hold up to six of your favorite apps and games. Below the dock, you’ll find the icon panel. You can also create multiple panels as well as folders that give you the ability to customize how the apps on your BlackBerry PlayBook tablet are organized. When you minimize an app, the carousel shows large thumbnail windows so it’s easier to read the contents of any apps you have running.

To help get you prepared, here’s a complete overview of how to manage the new home screen.

Note: In order to manage the home screen and complete any of the steps below, you‘ll need to ensure you are in Icon Edit mode first. To get into this mode, touch and hold any icon or folder until it starts pulsing. You can then complete any of the actions below. When you are finished customizing the home screen, tap on the background image to exit edit mode and save the changes.

Move an icon or folder: Drag the pulsing icon to the new position on the screen and release your finger.

Move an icon or folder into the dock: Drag the pulsing icon onto the dock and release your finger.Note: The icon dock has six slots. In order to add an icon, ensure a free slot is available. If no slots are available, move an icon off the dock before moving a different icon on to the dock.

Move an icon or folder into an existing or new panel: Drag the pulsing icon or folder to the edge of the left or right side of the screen to move it to the desired panel. If a panel doesn’t exist, one will automatically be created.Note: Empty panels are removed automatically.

Create a new folder: Drag a pulsing icon on top of another icon. Enter a name for the new folder when prompted and tap “Create”.

Move an icon into an existing folder: Drag the pulsing icon on top of a folder.

Rename a folder: Open a folder then touch the folder name at the top of the panel. When prompted, enter the new name and tap “Rename”.

Delete a folder: Tap on the Trashcan icon, then select “Delete”. Any icons inside the folder will be moved back to the current panel.

Note: Folders placed on the dock cannot be deleted directly. To delete a folder on the dock, move it off the dock first. Empty folders are automatically removed as well.

Move an icon in a folder back to the home screen: While viewing the contents of a folder, drag the pulsing icon over the “X” that appears in the top left corner of the home screen. The display will change to the panel hosting the folder. You can then drag the icon to its new location.Note: Empty folders are removed automatically.

Don’t forget, when you are finished managing the home screen, tap on the background image to exit edit mode.

Learning more about BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0

In addition to the new home screen, there are several other new features and apps as well as enhancements to BlackBerry PlayBook tablet apps you already love, such as Video Chat. Keep an eye out for more blog posts in the future that dive deeper into these new features and enhancements, so you can get the most out of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0!